Bab 18: Chapter 18: Why don't we go to your quarters?

Damian cautiously approached the edge of the Crescent Moon pack's territory. He could sense the presence of several werewolves guarding the entrance, their keen senses on high alert.

The wind carried the faintest scent of their powerful musk, adding to the intensity of the moment. He knew better than to enter their territory without permission.

So, he transformed into his raven form, the cool night air ruffling his feathers as he took to the skies.

He flew high above the dense forest, his wings cutting through the air with ease, and the moon casting an ethereal light below.

His sharp eyes darted around the pack house, scanning for any sign of Luna, but he couldn't feel her presence.

He remembered the clearing where they had met on two separate occasions, and with a sense of purpose, he made his way there hoping to find her there.

As he landed in the clearing, he transformed back into his human form. The damp grass tickled his feet as he scanned the clearing, searching for any sign of her.

But it was empty, and the eerie silence of the night only amplified his anxiety.

He walked to the center of the clearing, the moon casting an almost eerie glow over everything, and looked up, taking in its haunting beauty.

His mind drifted back to the first time he had met Luna in Alex's memories.

The memory of her beauty and grace, even in her animal form, was vivid in his mind. He couldn't understand why he was so drawn to her, why her presence was like a magnetic force pulling him towards her.

He had tried to stay away from her, but the bond between them was too strong to resist, a physical ache in his chest, a constant reminder that he needed her.

Damian shook his head, trying to push the memories aside. He couldn't afford to get distracted now.

He needed to find Luna and figure out what was going on. He looked around the clearing once more, but there was no sign of her.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him, and his instincts kicked in. He whirled around, his senses on high alert.

A figure emerged from the darkness, and Damian tensed, ready for a fight. But it was only Isabella, her silhouette illuminated by the moonlight.

She approached him with concern, her eyes scanning him for any sign of injury. Damian felt a tinge of frustration at her interruption, knowing that she had ruined tonight's hunt.

"Damian, what are you doing out here?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.

"I'm trying to relax since you ruined tonight's hunt," he replied, his voice tight.

Isabella's expression softened. "I see," she said. "And are you feeling any relaxed?"

Damian shook his head. "No."

Isabella took a step closer to him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. "Damian, please don't do this to yourself. You're torturing yourself over a werewolf."

Damian jerked his arm away from her, his eyes flashing with anger. "She's not just a werewolf," he snapped. "She's bonded to me, and she's mine."

Isabella raised her hands in surrender. "I'm sorry, Damian. I didn't mean to upset you. I just don't want to see you hurt."

Damian took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew that Isabella meant well, but he couldn't shake the feeling that she was trying to manipulate him.

"I appreciate your concern, Isabella," he said, his voice more composed. "But I need to find Luna. I don't know what's going on, but I can feel that something is wrong."

"Well, you can't do that in this state. Let's head back and try to get you relaxed. Tomorrow, I'll help you find her." Isabella offered.

Damian sighed, knowing that Isabella was right. He couldn't continue his search in such a heightened state of emotion.

He needed to clear his mind and regain his focus before he could properly search for Luna.

"Alright," he agreed, nodding his head. "Let's head back."

Isabella gave him a small smile and walked with him out of the clearing. As they made their way back to the his coven, Damian couldn't help but wonder what was happening to Luna.

He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, a feeling that he couldn't ignore.

Once they arrived, Isabella led Damian to a room just behind his throne room which is in the heart of the building.

The room was dimly lit, with a few candles flickering on a nearby table. Isabella gestured for him to sit down on a plush armchair, and then she disappeared into the adjacent room.

Damian sank into the chair and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He could feel the tension in his body slowly ebbing away, as he allowed himself to relax for the first time in what felt like forever.

Isabella returned a few moments later, carrying a golden-plated cup, filled with blood. She handed it to Damian and sat down on a nearby sofa, watching him as he drank the blood.

As Damian lifted the chalice of blood to his lips, he could feel its warm, metallic taste coating his tongue and the back of his throat.

The thick liquid seemed to pulse through his veins, invigorating him with renewed vitality. He took another deep gulp, savoring the rush of energy that coursed through him.

With each swallow, Damian felt his thoughts sharpen and his senses heighten.

He could almost hear the beating of his own heart, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the rustle of the leaves outside the window.

He knew that he needed to be at his best if he was going to find Luna, and this drink was just the boost he needed.

As he set down the empty cup, Damian could sense Isabella's presence behind him as she massaged his shoulders.

Her touch was like a balm on his sore muscles, her fingers kneading out the knots and tension that had built up from days of travel and stress.

He leaned back into her gentle embrace, feeling her warmth and care enveloping him like a cocoon.

With his eyes closed, Damian could feel the soft brush of Isabella's hair against his cheek and the delicate scent of her perfume mingling with the metallic tang of the blood.

He let out a deep, contented sigh, feeling all his worries and fears slip away in that moment.

"Thank you, Isabella," he murmured, feeling grateful for her support and comfort. "I feel much better now."

Isabella smiled down at him, her eyes warm and compassionate. "I'm glad," she said softly, continuing to work her magic on his aching muscles. "You deserve to feel your best."

After a few minutes, Isabella leaned in and whispered into his ear, "Why don't we go to your quarters? I can give you a more thorough massage there."

Damian hesitated for a moment, but the thought of Isabella's skilled hands on his body was too tempting to resist. He nodded his agreement, and Isabella led him to his room.

The room was dimly lit, with the curtains drawn to block out the moonlight. Isabella gestured for Damian to lie down on the bed, and he complied, settling in comfortably.

Isabella climbed onto the bed next to him, straddling his hips. Her hands went to work on his back, kneading out the knots and tension in his muscles.

As she worked, Damian found himself drifting off, lost in the sensations of her touch. But then, suddenly, his eyes snapped open as he realized something was off.

"Isabella," he murmured, his voice slurred with drowsiness. "What are you doing?"

Isabella didn't answer, but Damian felt her hands begin to move lower, toward the waistband of his pants. His heart rate spiked as he realized what she was trying to do.

"Stop," he said, his voice firm. "I didn't ask for this."

Isabella froze, her hands still on his back. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just thought..."

"Get off me," Damian said, his tone brooking no argument. Isabella scrambled off him, her eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry," she said again. "I just thought that maybe you needed to forget about Luna for a while."

Damian shook his head, sitting up on the bed. "I don't need that kind of help, Isabella. I need to find Luna, and I need to do it on my own."

Isabella looked crestfallen. "I understand," she said. "I'll leave you to rest now."

Damian watched as Isabella gathered up her things and started to leave the room.

As Isabella got to the door, she stopped and called out to him.

"Damian," she said, her voice soft. "I know that you're worried about Luna. But I promise you, we'll find her. And whatever happens, I'll be here for you."

With that, she left the room and headed for her own quarters. As she lay down on her bed, she began to plot out other scheme to make Damian forget Luna.

Meanwhile, Damian laid back down on the bed, his mind racing with thoughts of Luna and the bond that tied them together.

He knew he needed to find her soon, but he also knew that he couldn't let himself be distracted by anything else in the meantime.